Lu'lu' wal-Marjan

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas narrates that during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), there was a solar eclipse, so he performed prayer. He stood for so long that Surah Al-Baqarah could be recited in that time. Then he bowed (ruku‘) for a long time, though it was a little shorter than the first standing. Then he went into prostration (sajdah). After rising from prostration, he again stood for a long time, but it was shorter than the first standing. Then he performed a long bowing, which was also shorter than the previous bowing. After raising his head from bowing, he stood for a long time again, and this standing was also shorter than the previous one. Then he performed (the fourth) bowing, which was also very long but a little shorter than before. Then he prostrated, and when he finished the prayer, the sun had become clear. After that, he delivered a sermon and said: “The sun and the moon are two signs among the signs of Allah, and they do not eclipse because of anyone’s death or life. Therefore, when you see an eclipse, remember Allah.” The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) said, “O Messenger of Allah, we saw that you moved a little forward in your place during the prayer and then stepped back.” He replied, “I saw Paradise and wanted to pluck a bunch (of its fruit). If I could have plucked it, you would have eaten from it as long as the world remains. And I was also shown Hell. I have never seen a more terrifying sight than that. I saw that most of its inhabitants are women.” Someone asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is the reason for that?” He replied, “Because of their ingratitude (kufr).” It was asked, “Do they disbelieve in Allah?” He said, “They are ungrateful to their husbands and deny favors. You may do good to a woman all your life, but if she sees something (from you) that she dislikes, she will say, ‘I have never seen any good from you.’”